Faculty Senate Retreat
Meeting Minutes
August 22, 2012, 8:30 AM
MTSU Foundation House
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Members Present – M. Arndt, S. Boyd, J. Brickey, T. Brinthaupt, N. Brooks, L.
Burriss, N. Callender, B. Canak, L. Clark, R. Clark, C. Cooper, L. Craig-Unkefer, K.
Darby, L. Dubek, T. Farwell, M. Fleming, G. Freeman, C. Harris, R. Hoffman, P.
Kelly, M. Knight, C. Li, A. Lutz, S. Mangrum, J. Maynor, J. McCormick, A.
McCullough, W. Means, F. Miyakawa, K. N. Nofsinger, D. Patterson, S. Roberts, C.
Rosenmuller, B. Rushlow, L. Selva, C. Stephens, C. True, J. Wasik, M. Weller, P.
West Osterfield, A. Williams, D. Winborn, G. Zlotky
Members Absent –K. Mathis, M. Nichols, G. Pisut,
Members Excused – C. Beauchamp, M. Hinz, P. Wall
Additional Attendees – B. Bartel (Provost), S. McPhee (President), A. Oppmann
(Associate VP Marketing and Communication), B. Petryshak (Vice President of
Information Technology)
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Agenda
1. Michael Arndt, Faculty Senate President: He welcomed the Senators and
introduced Deb Sells.
2. Deb Sells, VP Student Affairs: She shared enrollment numbers as of August
21, 2012 via a handout. Overall enrollment is down. Following reenrollment of
those recently purged, enrollment is expected to be down by approximately
4%. She shared how the mindset towards the time it takes to earn a degree at
MTSU has shifted towards a four year program. She shares with families that
time-on-task and time-on-campus is very important for student success.
Academic and social connectedness is important. She shared that living on
campus is the primary national indicator of which students will graduate. She
expects low enrollment numbers across the State. The ability for students to
work on campus was questioned, and Dr. Sells stated that the number of
employment opportunities for students has diminished. She shares with
students and parents that attending university is a full time job. Admissions is
targeting freshmen and sophomores to begin relationships early. The number
of applications for the fall semester was requested; however, Dr. Sells did not
have those numbers.
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3. Bruce Petryshak, VP Information Technology: Mr. Petryshak shared the
creation of MTSU mobile apps. One app in development is geared towards
assisting disabled students with campus navigation. Two students who
participated in the program have recently been hired. A Mobility Summit will be
held October 15-16. He presented the current state of the campus
virtualization project. Approximately 580 virtualizations have been put in place
to date. Virtualization of SPSS and CAD were discussed. A request for
proposal (RFP) is being released to achieve better copy and print pricing.
Specialty printing/plotting is not included in this request. An app being
developed/tested by Austin Peay is said to predict with 90% accuracy the
grade a student would make in a particular course based upon their academic
history. It is also said to be capable of suggesting a course schedule. Austin
Peay is testing the app for TBR. ITD should be able to assist a professor with
their own devices being used for University business. A website where
virtualized software are listed was requested. Mr. Petryshak encouraged
faculty to store more information on the network as opposed to local storage.
Network security is being increased. Photo IDs on class rosters will be
available. Grants for teaching technology are to be provided. Automatic
completion of Upper Division Forms was suggested. Cellular coverage on
campus was discussed. Mr. Petryshak shared that MTSU’s website is due for
improvement. The current MTSU web is composed of 17,000 pages. He
shared that this is too “heavy” and needs to be streamlined and made intuitive
for students, especially first time/generation students. The ability of RaiderNet
and Banner to reflect course substations for advising was questioned. The
removal of old web pages/forms when new web pages/forms come online was
highlighted.
4. Andrew Oppmann, Associate VP Marketing and Communication: He shared
that the web was going to be crucial for MTSU’s marketing. He stated that the
web was the University’s “front porch”. Support will be provided for
Departments to best present themselves on the web. He wants Departments
to develop lists of their promotable works and people. MTSU Magazine has
been revived. He is investigating how best to tell MTSU’s story. Tennessee’s
Best is a current aspirational brand. True Blue was explained. He stated that
several means were going to be used to market the University. Mr. Oppmann
made a request for Faculty to participate with ProfNet.
5. Sidney McPhee, University President: He welcomed the Senate and thanked
the Senate for having him. He highlighted the necessity of Senators to
communicate with their colleagues the issues discussed by the Senate. He
asked for cooperation between the Administration and the Faculty. He
communicated his responsibility in the operation of the University. The
Administration and the Senate have a plan for the upcoming year. Faculty
involvement in policy matters is included in the plan. The role of Student
Affairs in the business of Academic Affairs is to be investigated. Dr. McPhee
discussed the financial management of the University. He stated that the
University is audited by the State every year, and the University has been
found to manage its finances successfully. He stated that enrollment is down
for the first time in many years and that retention is a primary issue. He shared
his disdain for the funding formula; however, the University must operate
within it. He presented a proposal to the TBR in enhance faculty salaries for
those below the market average; however, the current budget situation may
prevent this. The issue of teaching being undervalued in lieu of research was
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discussed. Dr. McPhee asked for feedback on this issue. A conversation
regarding teaching space within the new science building being given only to
those who bring in research funds was suggested. Dr. McPhee and Dr. Bartel
were thanked for their encouragement of faculty within Liberal Arts to
participate in research. The nonpolitical nature of the University was
discussed. Dr. McPhee shared that he has believes that the University has
made its stance clear on diversity issues via the True Blue Pledge.
6. Brad Bartel, University Provost: Dr. Bartel shared the importance of
recruitment of students and faculty. He shared his desire for more control over
the constitution of the freshman class. Focus on students from other states is
desired. A higher ACT standard is desired. An Ed.D. was recently approved.
He is optimistic concerning graduate enrollment for the future. Dr. Bartel will
ask every department to construct an enrollment/retention plan. Based upon a
recent National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) study, the rigor of
departments needs to increase. The Academic Map project is being put into
place. This project will produce a 4-year graduation plan for students to follow.
A bachelor degree in mechatronics is in the works. The Provost had requested
an additional 3% tuition increase to cover new Tenure Track faculty positions.
This would have added approximately 60 new faculty. He can’t act on this until
the enrollment numbers are finalized. Dr. Bartel listed several potential new
degree programs. Noninstructional assignments will be reinstated. Little
money is available for this. Dr. Bartel spoke of a mentoring program for
students and faculty. He wants all departments to have mentoring programs. A
2.5% cost of living raise has been given. An additional longevity bonus may be
announced by the President. Dr. Bartel highlighted the salary compression
issue. He shared the reasons for hiring new faculty at higher pay and wants to
bring equity to pay. He shared his desire to create a faculty meeting/dining
space. Dr. Bartel shared his desire to have common sense workload
assignments. Affordable child care on campus was addressed. The limitation
on faculty pay as a percentage of overall salary was discussed. Dr. Bartel will
investigate this. The policy regarding faculty providing paid consulting services
was discussed.
7. Michael Arndt: Michael shared some takeaways from the Completion
Academy. Completion maps and student learning communities were
discussed. He presented the plan to split into four groups to discuss different
aspects of the enrollment management plan.
8. Alfred Lutz, MTSU TBR Faculty Sub-Council representative: Alfred shared that
Paula Short resigned her position. Faculty nominations for this position have
been forwarded.
Respectfully submitted,
Nate Callender
2012-2013 Faculty Senate Recording Secretary
Edited: Gay Johnson, 9/10/12
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